Patents Examined by Jiping Lu
  • Patent number: 8381414
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a dryer used to reduce the moisture content of sheet material. A drying chamber is provided and includes a plurality of drying sections and a single point exhaust system. A seal section located at the input end of the dryer includes an exhaust passage through which a gas sample is drawn by a sampling fan. Gases within the seal section are a combination of ambient air drawn through restricted passages at the entry to the seal section and exhaust gas that bleeds into the seal section from the drying chamber. A controller monitors the temperature of the sampled gases and ambient air and adjusts the rate of exhaust flow from the main exhaust system as a function of the temperature differential. A heating system is also provided for heating the seal exhaust gases above the pitch condensation temperature for the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: USNR/Kockums Cancar Company
    Inventor: Bryan Wolowiecki
  • Patent number: 8381413
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a drying apparatus, for drying flexible objects such as bags or gloves, comprise a first suspension couplable to an external support, and a second suspension magnetically couplable to the first suspension. An object is supported between the first and second suspensions through the magnetic coupling. In a first embodiment, the second suspension comprises a magnetic hub and one or more spreaders, which may be fixed, removable, or moveably attached to the magnetic hub, and which may be repositionable between open and closed positions. The spreaders may be flexible, articulated, rigid, repositionable, collapsible, extendable, jointed, forked, hinged, slideable, continuous, or merged, and further may have substantially puncture-resistant terminations. The first suspension also comprises a magnetic member and a suspending member, such as an open hook or a clamp suspending member, for supporting the apparatus with the secured object from or by many types of external supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Holly M. Smith
  • Patent number: 8375597
    Abstract: A dryer and a foreign material removing apparatus thereof are provided. The dryer and the foreign material removing apparatus can clearly remove foreign materials adhered to a filter using only a simple operation without the user effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Phyo Ahn, Jeong Yun Kim, Sang Ik Lee
  • Patent number: 8371845
    Abstract: A head-mountable flashback arrestor for a gas torch having body, head, and tip sections. The head-mountable flashback arrestor may be disposed in a variety of gas torches, such as cutting torches, welding torches, heating torches, and so forth. The flashback arrestor also may embody a variety of filtering mechanisms, such as a porous metal structure. For example, the porous metal structure may be sintered from a metal particulate, such as a stainless steel powder, to form a non-linear or random flow pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Wakeman
  • Patent number: 8371038
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for using heat energy in a gypsum board plant. More specifically, the method contemplates taking heat from a gasifier, or other alternative heat source, and using it to dry gypsum boards. In order to control humidity levels, this heat is delivered to one or more board dryers via a heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: CertainTeed Gypsum, Inc.
    Inventors: John College, Felipe J. Yanes, David Corbin
  • Patent number: 8365431
    Abstract: A glove holder is disclosed for coupling a glove to an air vent. The air vent discharges an air flow over a fan shroud. The glove holder comprises a cylinder having an interior surface. The interior surface defines an interior bore. The cylinder is inserted into the glove. A support arm extends from a first end to a second end. The first end of the support arm is secured to the interior surface of the cylinder. The second end of the support arm is positioned within the interior bore. A key receiver is secured to the second end of the support arm. A clamp extends between a key and a conical backing. The key slidably engages the key receiver and the conical backing frictionally engages the air vent. The air flow is displaced from the air vent, through the interior bore of the cylinder and through the body of the glove for drying the glove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Jarrett P. Parish
  • Patent number: 8365434
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a dryer comprising dispensing a treating chemistry from a dispensing system into a treating chamber of the dryer based on an output from the environmental drying sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Carow, Ryan R. Bellinger, Francesco Jatta
  • Patent number: 8356422
    Abstract: A drying system for drying a personal hydration system having a fill opening and a supply tube includes a dryer assembly providing a flow of forced air to be introduced into the fill opening of the personal hydration device. The dryer assembly includes seal-forming structure engageable with the fill opening to form a seal between the dryer assembly and the fill opening to enhance the pressurization and inflation of the personal hydration system. The dryer assembly also includes a channel defining a relief valve for permitting exhaust of air flow from the fill opening upon pressurization and inflation of the personal hydration system. The dryer assembly further includes a resilient cam arm for enabling the dryer assembly to sealingly fit variously sized fill openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Simple Matter, Inc.
    Inventors: Trent Ballentine, Jason Scott Andrews, Dennis Matthew Turner
  • Patent number: 8356424
    Abstract: A substrate processing method comprises the step of subjecting a substrate to drying processing in at least one of a processing section and an interface, wherein the step of subjecting the substrate to the drying processing comprises the steps of: rotating the substrate at a first rotational speed around an axis perpendicular to the substrate, while holding the substrate horizontally, forming a liquid layer on the substrate in a state where the substrate is rotated at the first rotational speed, gradually and continuously increasing the rotational speed of the substrate to a second rotational speed after the formation of the liquid layer, and starting discharging a gas to the liquid layer on the substrate while the substrate is rotated at the second rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Kaneyama, Kazuhito Shigemori, Masashi Kanaoka, Tadashi Miyagi, Shuichi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8353113
    Abstract: A drying device including: a travelling unit and a drying unit. The travelling unit transports a sheet-like substrate in a travelling direction. The sheet-like substrate includes a thin film body wherein at least one surface of the thin film body is coated with a coating material including an active material. The drying unit dries the thin film body. The drying unit includes a radiative heater and a first nozzle. The radiative heater irradiates an infrared ray to a to-be-dried surface of the thin film body. The first nozzle blows a dry air to the to-be-dried surface in a direction opposite to the travelling direction of the sheet-like substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroko Kitamoto, Keiichi Sato, Naohiko Matsuda, Masahiro Sugihara
  • Patent number: 8347524
    Abstract: The dryer comprises a casing having a longitudinal axis, a mixing shaft, a circular plate that seals an opening made in one of the end walls of the casing, and a frame supporting the casing and the shaft. In the edge portion of the opening closest to the chamber a first circumferential groove is made which is formed by a first radial cavity and by a second radial cavity deeper than the first, joined by an axial portion. An annular sealing element made of a non-stick material, having a cross-section comprising at least one axial strip and one radial strip, is inserted into the first groove in such a way that the radial strip is inserted into the second cavity and the axial strip occupies the axial portion and the mouth of the first radial cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Paolo Debolini
  • Patent number: 8347520
    Abstract: In a laundry washing/drying machine involving drying by a heat pump cycle, in an initial stage of the drying operation the heat within an air circulation path is deficient and therefore it is impossible to effect quick heating of air on a drum inlet side up to a sufficiently high temperature. According to the present invention there is provided a drying unit capable of raising the drum inlet air temperature quickly up to a sufficiently high temperature in an initial stage of the drying operation and thereby shortening the drying time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8341854
    Abstract: A vacuum freeze-drying apparatus capable of rapid drying is provided. A cold trap for drying, which is arranged inside a drying chamber, is set to a low temperature of ?70 degrees Celsius or below, and heat is supplied to frozen particles on a conveyor belt to a degree such that the frozen particles do not melt. The amount of the liquid component evaporating from the frozen particles increases, and the amount of the liquid component entering the frozen particles decreases so that the time for drying the frozen particles is shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ulvac, Inc.
    Inventors: Seiji Ogata, Kyuzo Nakamura, Katsuhiko Itou, Takashi Hanamoto, Masaki Itou
  • Patent number: 8333019
    Abstract: A laundry dryer with a blower and an air duct configured to convey a flow of air toward the blower. The air duct includes one or more flow chambers with curved sections. The curved sections are configured to deflect the flow of air toward the blower. The laundry dryer also includes a displacement member disposed in the flow chamber in front of the blower and configured to produce an irrotational flow onto a wheel of the blower so as to reduce a formation of vortices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Gossel, Christian Maiss
  • Patent number: 8328551
    Abstract: A multizone convection furnace is provided in which gas from a cooling chamber of the furnace is directed into one or more heat zones of the furnace for the purpose of providing a specified thermal profile. The gas introduced from the cooling chamber into the one or more heat zones is of the same type of gas present in the heat zones, and typically is nitrogen. In a preferred embodiment, the convection furnaces comprises a heating chamber composed of a plurality of adjacent heat zones and a cooling chamber at the exit end of the heating chamber. A conveyer extends through the furnace for movement of a product through the heat zones and cooling chamber of the furnace. The cooling chamber is coupled to one or more of the heat zones such that cooled gas from the cooling chamber can be introduced into selected heat zones. In one version, a cooled gas path is provided to all of the heat zones and cooled gas is introduced into intended zones by opening associated valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: BTU International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Orbeck, Robert Honnors, Wayne L. Gibbs
  • Patent number: 8322047
    Abstract: A drying unit includes a frame having an air box mounted thereon, wherein the air box includes an intake port and an exhaust port. A plurality of rollers define a web path within the frame and a heat source is removably attached to the frame, wherein removal of the heat source does not require removal of a web from the web path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Moore Wallace North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Soltysiak, Henderikus A. Haan, Theodore F. Cyman, Jr., Anthony V. Moscato
  • Patent number: 8316556
    Abstract: An installation for dehydrating products, the installation having an enclosure, a member for sucking out the air contained in the enclosure, and a container for products that is received inside the enclosure and that is provided with a top opening having an air- and water-permeable bottom of a cassette extending in register therewith. The cassette contains zeolites. A sealing gasket extends between a perimeter of the bottom of the cassette and an edge of the container, defining the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Millerail
    Inventors: Gilles Beurel, Dominique Boutaud
  • Patent number: 8312640
    Abstract: A cloth dryer includes heat-pump (30), rotary tub (5) for accommodating clothes (4) to be dried, blower (12) for supplying air heated by heat radiator (23) to rotary tub (5), and heat-exchange air flow paths (22, 24) for circulating the air stayed in rotary tub (5) through heat radiator (23) via heat absorber (21). Fins striding over heat absorber (21) and heat radiator (23) allow integrating absorber (21) and radiator (23) into one body which can be thus placed within air-flow paths (22, 24). Heat-transfer reducing section (32) is formed on the fins between heat absorber (21) and heat radiator (23) for reducing the heat transfer via the fins between heat absorber (21) and heat radiator (23). The foregoing structure can prevent frost and ice produced on heat absorber (21) from growing, so that a compact cloth dryer excellent in drying performance is obtainable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsunori Taniguchi, Hideo Nisihata, Tosiaki Andou, Masayuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8312638
    Abstract: A multiple laundry treating machine, in which an auxiliary laundry treating device (120) is coupled to a general laundry treating device (110), is disclosed. The multiple laundry treating machine includes a main laundry treating device (110) for washing or drying laundry contained in an interior of the main laundry treating device (110), an auxiliary laundry treating device (120) arranged at one side of the main laundry treating device (110), the auxiliary laundry treating device (120) having a volume and a height respectively smaller than a volume and a height of the main laundry treating device (110), and having a laundry container (121) formed in an interior of the auxiliary laundry treating device (120), and a connecting unit (300) for connecting the main and auxiliary laundry treating devices (110, 120), to enable communication or control operations between the main and auxiliary laundry treating devices (110, 120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong Ho Park, Phal Jin Lee, Seong Hae Jeong, Seong Jin Jo
  • Patent number: 8291611
    Abstract: A wood kiln system and method that sequentially cures and dries layers of stacked wood during which each layer of wood is heated to 125 to 170 deg. F. as the kiln container is evacuated to approximately 13 inches of Hg for 8 to 12 hrs. After the wood has been cured, drying stage is commenced as the wood is continuously heated by evacuating the kiln container to 0.35 to 3 inches of Hg for 6 to 12 hrs. During the drying stage, a cold water bath is formed in the bottom of the kiln container. A condensation tank located between the vacuum pump and the kiln is used to continuously remove the water and water vapor from the kiln container. In one embodiment, the vacuum pump includes a primary vacuum pump serially connected to an auxiliary vacuum pump that allows the air to be continuously and gradually reduced in the kiln container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy L. Eriksen